Hey guys,
for several months ive been looking around trying to find cars that are cheap and have good handling. As a college student i don't have a lot of money to throw around, insurance is a concern too, the lower the better.
Currently i drive an 88 Pontiac Fiero with a 2.5 4cyl. it gets great mileage and flies through corners. The 88 fieros, being the last year they were made, had the best suspension and brakes which was a major improvement on the already great handling cars. The problem is that its a 2 seater which is a little impractical and insurance isnt cheap on this car. my age doesn't help either.
What im looking for is a car that is pretty cheap. So late 80s and early 90s is fine by me. I want something that handles well or can at least has potential to have great handling with little upgrading (like swaybars, and a coil over kit).
engine size and horsepower doesn't really matter much to me, i prefer a smaller engine because i still want good mileage and i would like to have at least 100 horsepower, my fiero puts out about 90 and gets me around just fine. of course i would like some more power but its ok.
I want something with 4 to 5 seats if possible so that i have more storage room plus i can carry around more than one buddy.
i prefer 2 doors, but 4 is ok, im also a fan of hatchbacks, especially a 3 door
something easy on the insurance.
something cheap to upgrade/maintain, i suppose you could think civic or something like that. Except i KNOW there are better cars out there
im not into crazy body kits or neon everywhere. ill probably make a DIY under tray to improve aerodynamics and increase mileage when im driving easy (most of the time). performance wise ill probably make a DIY cold air intake and if i happen to have money id like a modest exhaust which is preferably quiet, just something to help improve efficiency.
if im feeling extreme, which i might later on, i might even start throwing out weight, plus size the rims an inch or so with lighter rims, basically anything that would improve efficiency and handling (which of course, would improve mileage). i dont plan on any performance upgrades that decrease mileage such as cams/remap.
intake, exhaust, roller lifters, port matching, better valves/valve springs, GOOD oil lol, and things like decent spark plugs and wires are all ok. things that improve efficiency WITHOUT increasing fuel consumption.
cars i like but have ruled out would be
Toyota MR2. its a 2 seater, and upgrading and or maintenance can be pricey.
Miata. its a two seater
rx7, id love this one but if problems arise, pricey to fix.
Toyota Supra, two seater.
i guess i might be looking for something like really early 90s honda accord which seems to fit my wants and needs.
maybe even early model integras (a bit rougher on mileage but acceptable)
what else is there?
Thanks!